Machine for sewing fabric to umbrella tips



March 12, 1935. M. M. SCHARF MACHINE FOR SEWING FABRIC T0 UMBRELLA TIPS Filed Ju ly 7'. 1928 Arrow UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MACHINE FOR SEWING FABRIC T UIVIBRELLA TIPS Michael M. Seharf, New York, N. Y.

Application July 7, 1928, Serial No. 291,024

12 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in sewing machines and more particularly to machines for sewingthe. fabric of an umbrella top of the ribs or tips of the umbrella frame strucs ure.

Many umbrellas now on the market are provided with separate ornamental tips to which the fabric is attached, which tips with the fabric are adapted to be bodily mounted upon the ribs of the umbrella frame. Heretofore, these tips have been sewed to the fabric by hand, and it is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a substantially automatic machine for rapidly and securely stitching the fabric to these tips.

A further object is to provide a simple and practical machine of the above character which will reliably and efiiciently hold the fabric and the tip in operative relation while the tip is being sewed thereto.

A further object is to provide a mechanism which will automatically move the work, that is, the fabric and tip, relatively to the needle at periodic intervals whereby the thread passes thru and around the tip to secure the same in .a neat and secure manner.

A further object is to provide a machine of the above character, in which the work may be easily and quickly positioned with respect to the needle, after which the needle performs a certain series of steps in its stitching operation and automatically stops at the completion of such s eps.

Other objects will be in part obvious from the annexed drawing and in part hereinafter indicated in connection therewith by the following analysis of this invention.

This invention accordingly consists in' the various features of construction, combination of parts and in the unique relation of the members and in the relative proportioning and disposition thereof, all as more completely outlined herein.

To enable others skilled in the art to fully comprehend the underlying features thereof that they may embody the same by the numerous modifications in structure and relation contemplated by this invention, a drawing depicting a preferred form of the invention has been annexed as part of this disclosure, and in such drawing, like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout all of the views, in which Fig. 1 is an elevation showing such parts of the machine as are necessary to thoroughly understand the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail of the tip supporting means;

Figs. 4 and 5 are detail views showing the manner in which the tip and fabric are positioned before and after the stitching operation, respectively.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, 10 indicates the top of the sewing machine table or the upper surface which usually supports the 10 work to be stitched. Mounted upon this plate is a longitudinally reciprocating attachment comprising a base plate 11 and associated parts, which together grip and secure an ornamental tip indicated at 12 to move the same relative to 15 the usual reciprocating needle 13. It is believed to be unnecessary to go into details of the actual stitching mechanism, as this is of standard construction, and in the present form comprises the usual vertically reciprocating head 14 carrying 20 the needle 13 with its thread, which needle moves up and down thru the work to be stitched and cooperates with complementary stitch forming mechanism (not shown) located below the top plate 10. In securing the fabric to umbrella 35 tips, I prefer to use a tip such as shown in the enlarged view, Fig. 5, which tip is of generally cylindrical shape having a socket 15, a central transverse hole 16 thru which the stitching thread is adapted to pass, and an ornamental 3o bead 1'7 at the end. The cover to be stitched to the tip comprises generally a number of fabric pieces sewed together and having the seams extending substantially parallel and adjacent the ribs when assembled. This fabric 18 is laid 35 over and under the tip as indicated by the dotted line with the ornamental bead 17 inside. The stitching then takes place thru the hole 16, as well as at both sides thereof, as indicated by the small dots 20 and 21. After the stitching 40 has been completed, the fabric is turned back on its stitched edge portion, thereby covering the rough edges and seam of the fabric on the inside, and leaving a neat and ornamental finish as shown in Fig. 5.

With this understanding of the general operation and method in mind, attention is now directed again to Fig 1, in which an arm 22 is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends at the point 23, the rear end 24 being held securely 50 against lateral movement by means of vertically extending lugs or guides 25. The forward end is provided with an extension 26, the length and position of which may be regulated by means of clamping studs 27 passing thru slots 55 28. The forward end of this extension dips downwardly at 30 to provide a top gripping jaw 31 bifurcated as at 32 for the purpose of holding the tip 12 in a groove 33 formed in a complementary work holder 34. This work holder 34 is pivoted at the point 35, thereby to permit upwardly swinging or vertical movement as will hereinafter be explained. -The relation of this work holder with respect to the extension 26 maybe fixed by means of adjusting screws 36 passing thru slots 37 into the base plate 11.

The upper extension 26 is provided with a stud 40 having a laterally extending arm 41 to which is attached a flexible member 42. A relatively upward movement is adapted to be imparted to this member 42 by any desired means thereby to release the tip 12. In practice, it would probably be advisable to have a cord 42 passing over a pulley and thence downward to a foot actuated treadle as shown diagrammatically. Adjacent the stud 40 is a lug 43 adapted to coact with a hook-shaped member 44 pivoted at 45 to the lower work holder 34. This hookshaped member is raised by means of the lug 43 when an upward pull is exerted upon the upper work holder 30, but by reason of its engagement with an over-hanging curved arm 46, it will be cammed to one side or towards the left after a predetermined movement, thereby to allow the work holder 34 to snap back into the position shown. The sudden raising of the jaws 30 and 34 automatically breaks the thread at the completion of the series of the stitching steps. This also leaves the work holders 30 and 34 in separated condition thereby to permit the removal of the work as well as the insertion of the new tip and associated fabric.

The proper relative movement between the needle 13 and the work to be operated upon is accomplished in any desired manner through the stud 62, Fig. 1. As is well known to those familiar with the art, particularly button sewing machinery, various types of mechanisms have been provided for shifting the work holding means, that is the button, relative to the reciprocations of the needle whereby the needle passes successively through the different holes of the button, and I therefore propose to use any of these well known mechanisms for accomplishing the desired result. In the present case, where such mechanism is used, the work holder, that is including the jaws 30 and 34, shift the work relative to the needle 13 and allow the needle to pass through the eye or opening 16 in the tip, Fig. 4, whereupon the work and tip are moved relatively to the right, Fig. 1, so that the next reciprocation passes through the fabric at the point indicated by the dot 21, Fig. 4. The work then shifts bodily towards the left to make another stitch through the opening 16 in the tip and then to one side thereof, as indicated by the dot 20 in Fig. 4. The next two stitches alternate between the opening 16 and the dots 20 and 21. It has been found that usually three stitches are taken through the eye and fabric on one side, as well as through the eye and fabric on the other, thus securely uniting the tip and fabric.

At the end of each complete cycle of stitching operation and movement of the various parts by means of stud 62 in Fig. 1, the foot treadle 50 is actuated to cause an upward pull of the member 40 which raises both of the work holding jaws 30 and 34, and the thread being held by the looper is broken by this sudden pull. After a predetermined upward movement the hook 44 is released from the lug 43 causing the parts to snap back to original position.

At this point, reference is made to Fig. 3 in which a stud '70 mounted upon the base plate 11 ear its left end carries a laterally projecting arm 71 about which is coiled a spiral spring 72 terminating in a bent hook '73 normally slanting upwardly at approximately thirty degrees with respect to the plane of the table. This hook member 73 as shown in Fig. 4 fits into the opening 15 in the base of the tip 12 and holds the same at an inclined position whereby the fabric may be most conveniently wrapped around the'tip with respect to the eye as shown in Fig. 4. Then when the treadle is released, the work holders 30 and 34 grip the tip in their cooperating grooved recesses with the fabric wrapped securely thereabout. The stitching operation may then take place as before.

The members 30 and 34, together with the tip support, are positioned in substantially superimposed relation or effectively one above the other whereby when the tip is mounted upon the support it is in normal operative position between the work holder jaws 30 and 34.

From the above, it will be seen that the present invention provides a simple and practical mechanism which may be substantially an attachment for chain stitching sewing machines now in general use, thereby rendering the same particularly applicable for sewing the tips to umbrella covers. The invention comprises relatively few parts which may be inexpensively manufactured and asembled thereby providing a reliable and efficient device, rendering a heretofore hand operation substantially automatic.

Without further analysis the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of this invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting certain features that, from the standpoint of the prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention, and therefore such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalency of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a machine for sewing a cover to an umbrella rib tip having a thread engaging recess, in combination, a needle with means for operating the same, means for clamping an umbrella cover to the rib tip to hold the same in operative relation to said needle, and means for relatively moving said cover and tip together alternately with respect to the needle whereby the needle passes through the cover at different points and through the recess in the tip as the cover with the tip moves relatively from side to side, said holdings means including three substantially superimposed parts capable of relative separating movement with respect to each other to permit the cover to be inserted and removed, one of said parts being formed to support the tip.

2. In a machine for sewing a cover to an umbrella rib tip having a thread engaging recess, in combination, a needle with means for operating the same, means for clamping an umbrella cover to the rib tip to hold the same in operative relation to said needle, and means for relatively moving said cover and tip together alternately with respect to the needle whereby the needle passes through the cover at diflerent points and through the recess in the tip as the cover with the tip moves relatively from side to side, said holding means including three substantially superimposed parts capable of relative movement with respect to each other to permit the tip and cover to be inserted and removed, means for causing such movement whereby the parts are separated, one of said parts being formed to support the tip, a spring associated with the last-named member adapted to raise the same as the holding means is actuated to receive a tip whereby the tip is then inclined to permit the cover to be placed thereabout.

3. In a machine for sewing a cover to an umbrella rib tip having a thread engaging recess,

in combination, a needle carrier and needle positively mounted therein all during the sewing operation of securing the cover to the tip, a table support, holding means on said support for positioning the tip and cover in desired relation to the needle during the sewing operation and comprising two jaws relatively mv able with respect to each other and the table, whereby the needle alternately passes through the cover and tip as well as through the cover at one side of the tip, and a member normally lying adjacent said two jaws adapted to receive and hold the tip when the jaws are moved apart thereby better to receive the tip and cover prior to the stitching operation.

4. Ina machine for sewing a cover to an umbrella rib tip having a thread engaging recess, in combination, a reciprocating needle carrier and needle positively mounted therein all during the sewing operation of securing the cover to the tip, a table support, means on said support for holding the tip and cover in desired relation during the sewing operation and comprising two jaws relatively movable with respect to each other and the support, and both with respect to the needle, whereby the needle alternately passes through the cover and tip as well as through the cover at one side of the tip, and means for releasing the umbrella cover and tip including a manually actuated part for moving the jaws vertically with respect to the table and holding them in separated position, and a member for supporting the tip lying adjacent said jaws and adapted to move to an inclined position convenient to receive the tip when the jaws are separated.

5. In a machine for sewing a cover to an umbrella rib tip having a thread engaging recess, in combination, a reciprocating needle carrier and needle positively mounted therein all during the sewing operation of securing the cover to said tip, a table support, means on said support for holding the tip and cover in desired relation during the sewing operation and comprising two hinged jaws capable of relative swinging movement with respect to each other and to the table support a tip support adjacent said jaws for holding a tip and the cover thereon between the jaws during the stitching operation, manually actuated means for moving the jaws vertically and simultaneously allowing the tip support to move from a central position to an inclined position thereby to permit the tip to be mounted on or removed from, said tip support more conveniently.

6. In a machine for sewing a cover to an umbrella rib tip having a thread engaging recess, in combination, a reciprocating needle carrier and needle positively mounted therein all during the sewing operation of securing the cover to said tip, a table support, means on said sup-.-.

port for holding the tip and cover in desired relation during the sewing operation and com: prising two jaws capable of relative movement with respect to each other and to the table support, mechanically actuated means for moving,

the jaws relatively to the needle thereby simultaneously carrying the tip and cover from a central position to positions at each side thereof whereby the needle alternately passes through the cover and thread recess in the tip as well as through the cover at each side of the tip, a tip receiving member normally lying adjacent said jaws movable relatively to said jaws, and manually actuated means for separating the jaws to permit the removal from the jaws of the cover and tip and allow a new tip to be mounted on the tip receiving member.

7. In a machine for sewing a cover to an umbrella rib tip having a thread engaging portion, in combination, a table support, two jaws mounted thereon, manually actuated means for moving said jaws relatively to the table and each other to cause a separation thereof whereby the tip and cover may be placed therebetween, a tip receiving member associated with said jaws, and

a spring for moving said tip receiving member to inclined position with respect to the plane of the table when the jaws are moved thereby to receive more conveniently the tip prior to having the cover placed thereabout.

8. In a machine for sewing a cover to an umbrella rib tip having a thread engaging portion, in combination, a table support, two jaw holding members movable relatively to each other and the table, a manually actuated member for moving said jaws whereby they assume a separated position, a tip support associated with said jaws, and spring means for moving the tip support to inclined position when the jaws are separated to permit the tip to be conveniently mounted thereon, said spring means permitting said tip support to move back to horizontal operative position adjacent the jaws when the manually actuated member is released, thereby causing the cover to be gripped in operative position to the tip prior to the stitching operation.

9. In a machine for sewing a cover to an umbrella rib tip having a thread engagin portion, in combination, a table support, two jaw holding members movable relatively to-each other and the table, a manually actuated member for moving said jaws whereby they assume a separated position, a tip support associated with said jaws, spring means for moving the tip support to inclined position when the jaws are separated to permit the tip to be conveniently mounted thereon, said spring means permitting said tip support to move back to horizontal operative position adjacent the jaws when the manually actuated member is released, thereby causing the cover to be gripped in operative position to the tip prior to the stitching operation, and means whereby the stitching thread is severed at the end 01' the stitching operation.

10. In a machine for sewing a cover to an umbrella rib tip having a thread engaging recess, in combination, a needle with means for operating the same, means for clamping an umbrella cover to the rib tip to hold the same in operative relation to said needle, and means for relatively moving said cover and tip together alternately with respect to the needle whereby the needle passes through the cover at different points and through the recess in the tip as the cover with the tip moves relatively from side to side, said holding means including three substantially superimposed parts capable of relative separating movement with respect to each other to permit the tip and cover to be inserted and removed, one of said members being formed to support the tip, and means whereby the stitching thread is severed at the end of the stitching operation.

11. A work holder for sewing machines provided with superimposed work gripping elements formed with vertical registering needle slots, and provided in their inner cooperating faces with horizontal registering open ended grooves constituting work receiving seats intersecting the slots at substantially right angles thereto, and a chuck disposed to support a work piece in position to be received in the grooves of the work gripping elements.

12.'In a machine for sewing a cover to an umbrella rib tip having a thread engaging portion, in combination, a needle with means Ior operating the same, means for clamping an umbrella cover to the rib tip to hold the same in operative relation to said needle, and means for producing a relative lateral vibratory movement between said clamping means and needle whereby the needle passes through the cover at different points and on opposite sides of the tip during the sewing operation, said holding means including three substantially superimposed parts capable of relative separating movement with respect to each other to permit the cover to be inserted and removed, one of said parts being formed to support the tip.

MICHAEL M. SCHARF. 

